OCALA (FOX 13) - Wildlife officials in Florida say an Ocala neighborhood should be on alert for a cobra that escaped from a home late last night.

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, it was around 9 p.m. Monday when Brian Purdy contacted FWC to warn them that his suphan cobra had escaped from its enclosure. An immediate search by an FWC investigator and even local police and fire officials failed to find the snake, so neighbors were alerted.

The search continues this morning, focusing on the 900 block of NE Ninth Street in Ocala.

“Residents in the area are urged to use caution until this snake has been captured,” an FWC release warned. “Although reclusive by nature, cobras are highly venomous and will strike out if they feel threatened.

FWC says the cobra is about 2 feet in length, with “distinctive multicolor markings.”

If anyone sees the snake, they should remain at a safe distance and immediately call the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-3922 or *FWC or #FWC on cell phones.

"Members of the public should not approach or attempt to capture this snake,” the FWC note added.

FWC says Purdy has a license for the snake and all of his “other remaining reptiles” are accounted for and secure.